Exodus 12:49
ESV
There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you."
NIV
The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you."
NASB
The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who resides among you.'
CSB
The same law will apply to both the native and the alien who resides among you."
NLT
This instruction applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner living among you.'
KJV
One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
NKJV
One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”
What does Exodus 12:49 mean?
Commanding there to be a single law for all people, native-born or foreign, seems trivial to a modern, post-Christian culture. Yet the context makes this comment remarkable. God is referring to observance of Passover (Exodus 12:12–14). This event is crucial to the identity of His chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). In that time and place, it would be expected that only those physically born into the nation could be included. However, the Lord offered a path for anyone to be assimilated into the family. This was tied to circumcision (Genesis 17:10–14). Those who responded to the Lord in faith could become fully accepted members of the nation of Israel. This is demonstrated in the stories of Rahab (Joshua 6:25) and Ruth (Ruth 1:4; 4:10–12) and their legacies (Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31).This law is consistent for all people: only those who are circumcised may participate in Passover. Later instructions from God will highlight this inclusive and fair-minded approach (Leviticus 19:34; Numbers 15:29).
Exodus 12:43–51 expands on future remembrances of Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:33–42). God connects Passover rituals to the identifying rite of circumcision (Genesis 17:9–11). Only those who identify with the Lord through circumcision can participate. Israel has obeyed these commands and is now leaving Egypt in a single massive group. Instructions about festivals will be provided in the next chapter.
Israel is to realign their calendar to begin with the current month. They receive instructions to prepare a special meal. This includes sacrificing lambs and applying their blood to the doorway of each home. Following these instructions will cause God's wrath to "pass over" that house. Egypt's firstborn are killed and they demand Israel leave immediately. The people quickly gather their belongings and march out in a single massive group. These events are to be remembered with festivals to be celebrated for all time.
